NEW YORK FALLS TO HOUSTON DYNAMO, 2-0

The New York Red Bulls dropped a 2-0 decision to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium Friday night. In a battle between the two Eastern Conference leaders, the Red Bulls are now in second place on 38 points off an 11-7-5 record, two points behind the Dynamo, which moved into first with the win.

New York has a chance to exact immediate revenge in its match next week against the Dynamo on Friday, August 10 at Red Bull Arena at 8:00 PM ET (TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: 93.1 FM). Tickets are on sale for the match by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

The Dynamo took the lead in the second minute. A Brad Davis free kick fell in the box to forward Macoumba Kandji, whose shot was blocked by a diving Bill Gaudette. Hainault was first to the rebound on the left wing and hit a pass across the six-yard box that Gaudette deflected and was kneed in from close range at the back post by Houston’s Jermaine Taylor.

In the 28th minute, the hosts doubled their lead. Kandji had the ball on the left wing and swung a cross into the box that was headed into the back of the net by Calen Carr.

The Red Bulls looked to get back into the game in the second half. In the 59th minute, Thierry Henry laid it off to Sebastien Le Toux at the top of the box and the Frenchman smacked it well high with his left foot. Five minutes later, Tim Cahill, making his MLS regular season debut, got his head to a Henry corner kick and nodded it just past the right post.